Santa Clara County Local Water News Articles and Digest

Business, Economy & Jobs Water

Silicon Valley Water Board to Elect New Chair

01/08/2024
With the new year comes a new selection for Valley Water board chair, who will be charged with steering members through controversial investigations and decisions.

From YubaNet...

Water Animals Sustainability

New Year Brings Protections for Deep-Sea Corals and Ocean Fishing Opportunities

01/08/2024
New rules took effect Jan. 1 permanently protecting the most fragile deep sea corals off Southern California. Simultaneously, more than 4,500 square miles of ocean waters are now reopened to fishing after more than 20 years of closures.

From Monterey Herald...

Land Use & Development Water Sustainability

Homeowners Who Sued to Build a Seawall Could Reshape California’s Coast

01/07/2024
Raging storms brought major damage to California’s coastline last winter. But in Half Moon Bay, a different kind of coastal upheaval is gaining momentum—one that could decide the fate of billions of dollars of property and affect hundreds of public beaches.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening Government

California’s New Water-Saving Regs Lack 'Compelling Justifications'

01/05/2024
Image for display with article titled California’s New Water-Saving Regs Lack 'Compelling Justifications' in Many Cases, Say Legislative Analysts

Benefits of the state's new, strict water conservation rules may not outweigh the costs, analysts say.

From San Jose Inside...

Business, Economy & Jobs Water Sustainability State of California

California’s Proposed Water Conservation Rules Too Stringent and Costly, Analysts Say

01/05/2024
Image for display with article titled California’s Proposed Water Conservation Rules Too Stringent and Costly, Analysts Say

Though California faces serious water shortages, the Legislature's analysts recommend weaker outdoor conservation requirements and longer deadlines.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Environment Water

WWII-Era Dump Site Found Off LA Coast

01/05/2024
Munition boxes, depth charges and smoke floats have been found 3,000 feet underwater off the coast of Los Angeles. More than 100 square miles of ocean might be contaminated.

From KQED...

Environment Water

Climate Change Might Lessen Bay Area Fog

01/05/2024
The Bay Area’s fog is iconic. But the latest episode of KQED podcast “Bay Curious” looks at how climate change could reduce the number of foggy days in the area.

From Gilroy Dispatch...

Business, Economy & Jobs Water City of Gilroy

Local Scene: Gilroy’s Water Rates Increase; Assistance League Opens Grant Applications

01/04/2024
Image for display with article titled Local Scene: Gilroy’s Water Rates Increase; Assistance League Opens Grant Applications

The Gilroy City Council agreed to raise water rates by 6% every year through 2028, beginning Jan. 1.

From Palo Alto Online...

Environment Water State of California

Year's 1st Snow Measure Below Average, but El Nino Year May Boost Water Supply

01/03/2024
California's statewide snowpack is 25% of average as of Jan. 2. State reservoirs are still above average for this time of year due to a wet season, and strong El Nino conditions are present in the Pacific Ocean and are expected to bring more snow.

From LAist...

Environment Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening

Bright Blue Waves Return to Southern California

01/03/2024
Bright blue waves have been spotted in Long Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Seal Beach. The bioluminescence is caused by organisms known as dinoflagellates and can impact fish populations.

From Sacramento Bee...

Environment Water

Sierra Snowpack at 25% of Usual Levels

01/02/2024
The California Department of Water Resources has found that the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains is at just 25% of normal levels for this time of year. This could potentially impact water supply and wildfire protection.

From Morgan Hill Times...

Business, Economy & Jobs Water State of California

State Approves Rules That Turn Sewage Into Drinking Water

12/28/2023
Image for display with article titled State Approves Rules that Turn Sewage into Drinking Water

In a milestone for creating a major new source of drinking water, California has approved its first standards for turning sewage into potable water supplies delivered to homes and businesses.

From San Joaquin Valley Sun...

Water Resilience

Bureau of Reclamation Names New Leader for California Region

12/21/2023
The Bureau of Reclamation, which manages federal water such as the Central Valley Project, has a new regional director for the California-Great Basin Region.

From Sacramento Bee...

Environment Water Government

Single Delta Tunnel Wins Approval from State

12/21/2023
The California Department of Water Resources has approved building a tunnel between the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The approval could signal a new wave of legal challenges to the long-running and controversial project.

From SFGate...

Environment Land Use & Development Water History

Tribe Acquires Vast Land in Northern California, Will Remove Dams

12/21/2023
The Hoopa Valley Tribe announced it is acquiring about 10,000 acres of land in Northern California for $14.1 million. As part of this, the tribe will remove dams along the Klamath River and restore salmon runs.

From CalMatters...

Health Water Sustainability Government

California Takes Big Step Toward New Source of Drinking Water—Sewage

12/19/2023
Suppliers now have detailed steps to create a new source of drinking water. But it’s not really “toilet-to-tap.” Due to the cost, it’ll likely be only large suppliers.

From Mountain View Voice...

Business, Economy & Jobs Water City of Mountain View

Mountain View Water Pollution Lawsuit To Go Forward in Court

12/18/2023
In a legal setback to the cities of Mountain View and Sunnyvale, a federal court judge denied a request to dismiss a water pollution lawsuit that could potentially cost the cities tens of millions in fines.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Water Animals Agriculture, Food & Gardening State of California

Ranchers, Tribes Clash Over Water, Salmon Ahead of Sweeping New Irrigation Regulations

12/17/2023
Salmon populations in the Scott and Shasta rivers have crashed, so state officials are about to restrict irrigation again. And the controversial rules may even become permanent.

From The New York Times...

Water History Sustainability

Who Gets the Water in California? Whoever Gets There First.

12/14/2023
Water fights have shaped California since its infancy as a state, when its abundance seemed limitless. Now, Californians are being forced to confront limitations, and the state that prides itself on creating the future is now reckoning with its past.

From Sacramento Bee...

Environment Water Agriculture, Food & Gardening Government

State Releases EIR for Delta Tunnel

12/08/2023
The California Department of Water Resources released an environmental impact report for a tunnel that the state would like to build through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The report identifies potential impacts to farmland, tribal remains and endangered species of fish.

Santa Clara County Local News: Water